How To: Clean ESD Floor Mats?

Q: Our customer is looking to clean ESD floor mats?  What products would you recommend?

A:  ESD (electrostatic discharge) floor mats used throughout the electronic industry are yet another example of a critical cleaning applications.  While several detergents can be used, we often recommend Detergent 8® Low-Foaming Ion-Free Detergent for cleaning ESD mats which are typically made of polyurethane, vinyl and similar materials.  Very often floor mat manufacturers have approved lists of cleaning agents.  Many of which have Alconox Inc. products listed.   We highly recommend consulting such lists, and confirmatory testing in your own conditions, setup, application and instruments.  

Detergent 8 cleaner contains no chelating agents, halides or conductive metal cations such as sodium.  It is therefore used in many electronic industry applications, including solder flux cleaning.  And generally anywhere completely ion free cleaning is required.  If the cleaner is around already, it often makes it easier to stick with what’s “in house” already.  The low foaming nature of Detergent 8 cleaner allows for it to be use manually for scrubbing and soaking, as well as in automated high pressure cleaning were foaming would otherwise be an issue.  

We recommend warm 1-3% solutions and thorough rinsing.  

Other in house Alconox Inc. detergents can be employed as well.  Consult us, along with your ESD floor mat manufacturer for specific application guidance about capability.  Generally, these mats are widely compatible but a review of mat manufacturer recommendations is advisable.

To request any Alconox Inc. detergents for free, please complete the questionnaire at Get Sample. For more information about any one of our Alconox, Inc. detergents, consult the technical bulletin for each product. Or click here to access each of our detergent’s Safety Data Sheets.

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